The pork industry was already under strain due to the global recession when it suffered a further hit with the spread of the H1N1 flu virus – also dubbed ‘swine flu’ – although it is not possible to contract the virus from eating pork products.

Members of the American Meat Institute and the National Pork Producers Council met with USDA representatives last week in order to explain why further assistance was necessary.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said: "These purchases will assist pork producers who are currently struggling due to depressed market conditions … This action will help mitigate further downward prices, stabilize market conditions, stimulate the economy, and provide high quality, nutritious food to recipients of USDA's nutrition programs."

The $30m deal adds to an approximate $151m of pork products that the USDA has already bought this year for federal food and nutrition programs.